Sunderland struggle with vaulting ambitions

SUNDERLAND are unassailable in their position as the northeast’s top club – the relegation of Middlesbrough and Newcastle last season took care of that – so new targets and aspirations are needed at the Stadium of Light.

It is, however, fair to say that 10th place after a home draw with the league’s resident basket case falls some distance short of the expectations of a club bankrolled by Ellis Short’s millions.

One bright spot for the Black Cats faithful will have been the vibrant and ambitious performance of Nyron Nosworthy and the full-back believes the fact that the fans now have such high expectations is proof in itself of the Wearsiders’ progress.